Adler’s Hardware celebrates its centennial

Harry Adler works with a customer in the paint section of Adler’s Hardware.

Photos | Glenn Osmundson

Marc and Janice Adler in the office in the rear of the store

Photos | Glenn Osmundson

Posted
Thursday, February 28, 2019 8:57 pm

MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE

Adler’s Hardware has been a Providence fixture since 1919, when it was opened on Wickenden Street by Romanian immigrant Fred Adler. The store originally sold work clothes and World War I surplus goods, and Fred made some additional money by doing engraving work for Providence’s then-booming jewelry industry.

After World War II, Fred’s son Irving joined the family business, and it was around this time that Adler’s expanded the size of their store and added hardware to their inventory.

While Irving joined the family business, Fred’s other son, Carl, opened a clothing store on Westminster Street. When the building of I-95 went through that store’s lot, Carl joined his father and brother in running the Wickenden Street store. Irving managed the hardware department, while Carl was in charge of clothing and military surplus. In the 1970s, Irving and Carl oversaw a second expansion to the Adler’s building.

Today the store is run by cousins Harry and Marc Adler, who are Irving and Carl’s respective sons.

“Jewish Rhode Island” spoke with Marc about Adler’s Hardware and the challenges and rewards of running the family business.

JRI: Would you tell our readers a bit about yourself? How did you get involved in the family business?

MA: I’m a CPA by training. I worked for Manufacturers Hanover Bank in Manhattan, and a paper distributor in Chicago. I came back to Providence because I decided I wanted to work for myself.

JRI: How have you seen your business change over the years?

MA: Probably the biggest change was when Home Depot came to town. It was like a vacuum cleaner. They sucked up business from all kinds of stores.

JRI: That’s been a challenge for a lot of small businesses. What do you find most rewarding about your work?

MA: Really, it’s the people that you meet. You meet such a diverse population, and 99 percent of them are friendly and very appreciative of your service. We have excellent employees. Most have been with us for many years, and it’s a pleasure to spend the day with them, including my wife and my cousin!

JRI: What will happen when you and Harry retire? Is there a new generation ready to take over?

MA: No new generation will be taking over. We plan to eventually sell the business, but intend to continue as long as our health is good, and we’re able to manage the business.

JRI: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

MA: We’ve been here 100 years, and I feel that we’ve been Jewish representatives to the community. Over the years we’ve run the business with a high level of integrity, honesty, customer service, and, at times, humor. I feel we’ve done an excellent job as representatives of the Jewish people.

Tomorrow
| PJ Library Challah in the House,

On Monday evening, hundreds gathered in the parking lot of Masjid Al Kareem, the Islamic Center of Rhode Island in Providence, for a vigil in memory of the 50 murdered Friday in Christchurch, New Zealand. The comparisons to our community’s vigil in the aftermath of the October 2018 shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh were unavoidable.